Doug Elfman

Pianist to perform at White House

Bellagio pianist David Osborne will perform a 2½-hour concert at the White House on Dec. 21, and he's giving us a peek at the holiday songs first lady Michelle Obama requested.

She asked him to play "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," "Sleigh Ride," Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D," Adele's "Someone Like You," and Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" and "Ribbon in the Sky."

With those pop songs, Obama's taste in holiday songs -- sentimental yet regal -- is more contemporary than her predecessors.

When Osborne played for Laura Bush, she was fond of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Little Town of Bethlehem."

When he plays for Rosalynn Carter (he's friends with Jimmy Carter, who asked him to play at his funeral someday), Rosalynn has gone for "Little Town of Bethlehem" and "O Holy Night."

And Hillary Clinton once playfully asked Osborne to guess her holiday song choice.

"I bet you don't know my favorite song," Clinton said to Osborne.

" 'Carol of the Bells'?" Osborne said.

"Bingo!" Clinton said.

Osborne says he guessed correctly because it seemed like an almost new-agey Christian carol that fit her energizing spirit.

All the first ladies have been very nice, he says. Obama, for her part, is "very warm and affectionate."

"She likes to grab you and hug you. She's a really nice lady," he says.

Last year, Obama asked guests to write their Christmas wishes on paper and put the paper in holes in a wishing tree.

Osborne's wish was for the end of the Iraq war and to bring the troops home.

"I'm a dove," he says.

Osborne also is rehearsing Hanukkah songs.

Last year, Osborne gigged Britney Spears' birthday party. She dug Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and Debussy's "Claire de Lune."

"She said she liked to meditate to 'Claire de Lune,' " Osborne says.

As a Madonna fan, Spears enjoyed Osborne's arrangement of "Take a Bow" so much, she asked him to play it again.

She played piano, too.

"She is actually quite a good pianist herself," Osborne says.

Uh, what?

"She played amazingly well," he says.

Spears did a few of her own songs on piano, plus "As Time Goes By" and Disney staples "Beauty and the Beast" and "When You Wish Upon A Star."

But back to holiday songs: Johnny Mathis asked Osborne at the Bellagio to play "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" -- twice in a row -- because he was friends with the composers, who also wrote Mathis' "Chances Are."

George Burns got Osborne to do "Sleigh Ride" in Orlando.

And Robert and Vera Goulet joined Osborne at the Bellagio, where Robert sang "O Holy Night" to Osborne's accompaniment. That's one of Osborne's favorites, for the arpeggios and the minor keys falling during the awesome part that goes, "hear the angels' voices."

But his favorite might simply be "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." My favorite is "I'll Be Home for Christmas." It kills me. Although, I requested he do Mariah Carey's happier "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

Anyway, Osborne -- who holds master's degrees in piano and pipe organ -- will mix in holiday songs during his sets Thursday-Saturday at the Bellagio.

The White House said he and his wife, Jeannine, should bring a couple. He chose Army Sgt. First Class Lon Brouse, who served 13 years and left on disability severance because of injuries, and Brouse's wife.

He knows Brouse because ... Osborne's wife once dated Brouse.

"I'm not a jealous kind. Hell, she dated him 20 years ago," Osborne says. "Besides, he's just such a great guy."

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.

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Comments

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1. Juilliard Master Class Dec. 16, 2011 | 4:46 a.m. Report Abuse

   Just watched Osborne's YouTube submission of " Hotel California! This technique is nothing short of flawless!
   
   He's an incredible player!

2. Charlotte.Rose Dec. 15, 2011 | 6:29 p.m. Report Abuse

   MY TWO CENTS: God Bless America, In God we trust, and MERRY CHRISTmas. Mr. Turrbo, Mr. Osborne has a God given gifted talent and he has put many years of effort into perfecting his talent to share with the world. Jealously will not obtain the goal you seek, in fact, it could very well, (and may have already) hinder you obtaining the honors that Mr. Osborne has received. Jealously only serves to bring dishonor to the one harboring it. One big factor in Mr. Osborne's success is due to a factor that is just as important, if not more so than his talent, and that is ATTITUDE. He is kind, and gracious, and honorable. What shines through him isn't JUST talent. Two kinds of people get recognized. The first being those who behave with honor, they respect others, and appreciate the talents/gifts of others, the rejoice in the good tidings others receive, and they work hard to achieve their goal/s. The second kind of people to be recognized are loud, whiney, and obnoxious. They may get the attention they are seeking, but what they have to offer is without honor. Those who are honorable receive honorable appointments.. and are often INVITED to return. Those who are not honorable complain about the blessings others have earned and receive and they wonder, "Why not me?". WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.. just a thought to ponder on.

3. brian.corcoran Dec. 15, 2011 | 5:28 p.m. Report Abuse

   I would like to say that I first met Mr. Osborne in 1981 (Hidden Acres, Joplin, Missouri) in his humble beginnings as a "young" starving artist. I at the time was 8 years old and inspired by this man's work and how he could so easily capture my and my parents attention with his music. Talent and a strong work ethic is what has brung him to his status today. David is reaping the rewards for many years of hard work.
   As far as tax dollars go, I'm sure Mr. Obama would love to spend some time listening to David's music as you and I can at the Belagio without the entourage and security detail. Our president has given up all of his personal and family privacy to serve US. Although I am not a fan of our president, I do respect his desire for the entertainment we the public take for granted.
   I would suggest that Mr Turrbo move to a socialist society where everybody gets the same no matter how hard they work and see how long he lasts as "Pianist to the Dictators"
   We can not

4. Black Cat Dec. 15, 2011 | 5:01 p.m. Report Abuse

   I have been a fan of David Osborne's music for years! He is a musical genius. Anyone who doesn't understand why he is chosen to perform in the White House sounds like they have never listened to Osborne perform. Osborne deserves any and all accolades that he has the honor of recieving. Congratulations to David Osborne! And remember...if you don't have anything nice to say, then simply don't say anything at all.

5. A Little Birdy Dec. 15, 2011 | 4:32 p.m. Report Abuse

   It is with much unfortunate disdain that I feel the need to refute Mr Turrbos weak attempt at publicy defaming Mr Osborne. I can only personally vouch for who Mr Osborne is as a person, in knowing him through my line of business contacts, and having many enlightening and uplifting conversations with him. I think it is highly tragic that someone ( Mr Floyd ) would feel the need to adamantly argue against the experts in Mr Osbornes directly chosen musical field who have clearly stated their supporting comments and opinions on this board.
   
   Furthermore, as I stated in the former. though I can only vouch for who Mr Osborne is as a person, I know I am not the only person who feels this way
   
   I am a fan of his, not so much for his talented ability to play the piano effortlessly beautiful, but for who he is as a person, and in the end, really, that is what matters the most in this life, to touch others in spirit, in Mr Osbornes case he touches people both musically and in spirit, which is apparent as to why he is a chosen favorite to play the white house, a truly blessed man, who with grateful modesty, understands and appreciates the talent that God has given him.
   
   Mr Turrbos statements is more so defining who he is as a person, rather then boasting his loosely struggling attempt to win a losing argument.
   
   Mr Turrbo on behalf of Mr Osbornes many friends, fans, musical mentors, business associates Etc... You may now step down off of your soap box, and sulk quietly to lick your wounds, and perhaps look within for a spark of gratitude and light, in the darkness of your world.

6. Mary.Decker Dec. 15, 2011 | 4:24 p.m. Report Abuse

   What's wrong with you, Floyyd? Mr. Osborne is a wonderful artist. It's truly an honor for him to be asked to play at the White House year after year. He's a kind, peaceful man who has no hidden agenda. He plays simply for the joy it brings others. He's proud of his awards and accolades, as well he should be. You should push back from the keyboard, close your eyes, and just listen. It might just soften your heart.

7. Bob.Bush Dec. 15, 2011 | 4:21 p.m. Report Abuse

   Why David? If you are in Las Vegas stop by the Bellagio and listen to David play. Any question you have about why David will vanish. He is the real deal. He loves his country, his fans, his friends and his family. I am proud to be a fan and proud to call him my friend.

8. AppleGreenjade Dec. 15, 2011 | 3:53 p.m. Report Abuse

   I have had the immense pleasure of listening to David Osborne's piano playing in person for at least 10 years and I have most, if not all, of his CD's. His repeated invitations to play at the White House is a high honor and well deserved. In these tough economic times, it is nice to escape our worries even for a moment by listening to his soothing piano playing. His love for his wife is so admirable and their relationship is a model for ideal marriages.
   
   Thank you Mr. Elfman for writing such a nice article on my all time favorite pianist, David Osborne.

9. Debbo Dec. 15, 2011 | 3:23 p.m. Report Abuse

   Wonderful story and opportunity for visitors to the White House to be given the gift of David's talent. I have been fortunate to be in attendance for many of his performances in his hometown, which he uses as a way to fundraise for various charities. They are always well attended, everyone is blown away by his performance, and the charity gets funded..a win/win/win. David is an internationally known and respected artist, a Steinway certified artist, a hit recording artist, and an award winning artist. Only the best should represent our country, so I'd say they chose wisely.

10. FloyydR.Turrbo Dec. 15, 2011 | 10:27 a.m. Report Abuse

    Further to my alleged narrow mindedness, a narrow picture of him, would have provided more space, to illuminate the public including this alleged ignorant writer, as to-who was funding the trip? as to where the artists should apply, as to any Sponsors, how to get on this "exclusive, Pianist of the Stage Screen and White House" list? instead of this information being forwarded by people who read Shakespear,E.Stanley Gardner and Google.

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